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The Hockey News Daily Dish: Dec. 15

News

The Hockey News Daily Dish: Dec. 15

In his blog, Sean Pronger writes about life as a healthy scratch in the NHL.

Brian Costello writes about a few gifts some NHLers would want to receive this Christmas, in his blog.

Player News…

Kyle Wellwood, C, Vancouver Canucks2008/12/15: Veteran center Kyle Wellwood netted his 12th goal of the season during Sunday's 5-3 victory over the visiting Florida Panthers. Seven of Wellwood's goals have come on the power play, tying him with several others for the seventh-most in the NHL so far. Wellwood has 12 goals and four assists over 26 games so far, but over his career he has been far more of an assist man; he has 81 helpers (compared to 43 career goals) over 215 NHL contests.

Cory Schneider, G, Vancouver Canucks2008/12/15: Rookie goaltender Cory Schneider made 18 saves en route to helping his Vancouver Canucks to a 5-3 home win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Schneider has posted a 2-2-1 record this season while sharing time with Curtis Sanford filling in for injured starter Roberto Luongo (groin).

Craig Anderson, G, Florida Panthers2008/12/15: Recently-surging netminder Craig Anderson allowed a season-high five goals Sunday (on 30 shots) in Florida's 5-3 loss at Vancouver. Anderson has been getting the majority of the starts for the Panthers lately, ahead of usual starter Tomas Vokoun. Despite the loss Anderson sports a stellar 8-3-3 record on the season.

Michael Frolik, C/W, Florida Panthers2008/12/15: Rookie forward Michael Frolik collected a goal and an assist in Sunday's 5-3 road loss to Vancouver. He is finding his groove after a slow start to this season; the flashy Frolik has posted nine points (two goals, seven assists) over his past eight games with a plus-1 rating.

Shawn Matthias, C, Florida Panthers2008/12/15: Florida Panthers center Shawn Matthias registered his first point of the season, an assist, in a 5-3 loss to Vancouver on Sunday. The highly-touted prospect has bounced between Florida and Rochester of the American League as he struggles to find his scoring touch at the professional level.

Ryan Kesler, C, Vancouver Canucks2008/12/15: Vancouver pivot Ryan Kesler tallied a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers. Kesler has four points in as many games, however the goal was his first since November 15. On the bright side, the speedy centerman is plus-5 on the season.

Pavol Demitra, W/C, Vancouver Canucks2008/12/15: Vancouver Canucks forward Pavol Demitra scored twice in a 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday. The veteran sniper now has ten goals on the season, to go along with eight helpers.

Injury News…

Jeremy Roenick, RW/C, San Jose Sharks2008/12/14: Veteran forward Jeremy Roenick will miss the next two weeks due to a separated shoulder, according to the Associated Press. Rookie forward Lukas Kaspar has been recalled from AHL Worcester to fill Roenick's roster spot. Kaspar was a first-round pick (No.22 overall) in the 2004 NHL Draft.

Anton Volchenkov, D, Ottawa Senators2008/12/14: Defenseman Anton Volchenkov sat out Saturday's 2-0 home win over the Lightning due to a lower body injury. He is day-to-day. Volchenkov has struggled this season, posting a minus-10 rating in 27 games so far with just two goals and one helper.

Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens2008/12/14: Rising star goaltender Carey Price missed his third straight game in Montreal's 2-1 home loss to Washington Saturday. The flu was the culprit, but the previous two games he simply didn't play, with Jaroslav Halak getting the nod. Halak has started the past three games for the Habs, going 1-2-0.

Georges Laraque, RW, Montreal Canadiens2008/12/14: Montreal enforcer Georges Laraque missed his seventh game in the past 10 Saturday, sitting out the Canadiens' 2-1 home loss to the Capitals due to a groin injury. He is day-to-day. The team may be missing big Georges' toughness factor lately, having lost three of their past four.

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